Stereo Jealousy

The king is dead. R.I.P. Michael Jackson, 1958-2009.

Photo: Richard E. Aaron

So, you’re off to one of the biggest festivals in the world; revered and loved by all whom attend? You lucky soul! I’ve picked five acts that you shouldn’t miss and hopefully demonstrating some of the variety that Glasto is famed for. The headliners are Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Blur for the main stage, with great bands throughout the bill.

The Soft Pack

Where: John Peel Stage When: Sunday, 4:55 – 5:45pm Why: Feral racket making of the highest order, California’s The Soft Pack (formerly The Muslims) are a fantastic live prospect. Fast, loose and exciting the band will bring garage to Glastonbury. Expect tunes from their recent Extinction EP.

Listen: Call It A Day Watch:Extinction

Rokia Traoré

Where: Jazz World Stage When: Saturday, 3:45 – 4:45pm Why: Malian superstar Rokia Traoré has a voice that could melt Glastonbury Tor. Rich and vibrant, her band play with such sheer joy that despite the language barrier you’ll find yourself captivated and understanding exactly what is going on.

Listen: Aimer Watch: Tounka

Bon Iver

Where: Park Stage / Other Stage When: Saturday, 10:45pm-12:15am / Sunday, 8:00-9:00pmWhy:I guess little explanation is required for this pick. Justin Vernon’s act has been one of the critical smashes of the last eighteen months or so and For Emma, Forever Ago still sounds as good as the hype that surrounded it. The opportunity to catch him out in The Park should be a big draw.

Listen: Blood Bank Watch: Skinny Love

Florence And The Machine

Where: John Peel Stage When: Saturday, 8:00-9:00pm Why:An opportunity to catch Florence Welch before she goes stratospheric. Lungs, her debut album, is just around the corner and is likely to be in the mould of her output so far; fresh, intelligent and delivered with a killer voice. Watch out for her cover of You’ve Got The Love – it’s a barnstormer.

Listen: Dog Days Are Over Watch: You’ve Got The Love

Speech Debelle

Where: Pussy Parlure When: Friday, time TBC Why: Rap? At Glastonbury? Speech Debelle is an incredible talent balancing fresh-yet-old-school beats with thought provoking lyrical flourishes. Coming straight outta London, catch Speech and her incredibly personal tunes will burrow their way into your heart and mind.

Listen: Buddy Love Watch: The Key

Enjoy – and if you haven’t checked out who is playing in full yet, the whole line up is here.

Photo: CmdrGravy, Glastonbury 2007

Gig Of The Week – Hard Rock Calling, Hyde Park

Despite it’s frankly ludicrous comfy slippers and Daily Mail name this three day festival in Hyde Park has thrown up some very juicy acts indeed. Friday is probably the weakest headliner but strongest overall day, with The Killers topping off a bill including Howling Bells, Metric, Silversun Pickups and Echo & The Bunnymen. Saturday sees the incomparable Neil Young play along with Fleet Foxes, Seasick Steve and not really anyone else of interest. If you’re still going by Sunday you’ll be tested by one of The Boss’s marathon sets after already gone through the purgatory of drivel like James Morrison and Starsailor. The pick of the day lineup is openers The Low Anthem. Expect corporate music hell in terms of surroundings and atmosphere, but when you have artists of that quality present shouldn’t it all be about the music? Somewhat bizarrely only the Saturday has not yet sold out, so grab a ticket; it’ll probably be the cheapest you’ll ever get to see Neil Young!

If that’s not your thing there’s a massive glut of bands playing the Zonino 4.5 all-dayer at Brixton Windmill, along with a bill topped of by Jonquil at OXSW2 at the same venue come Sunday.

The Killers -Where The White Boys Dance

Neil Young – Cinnamon Girl (Live)

Bruce Springsteen – Thunder Road

Photo: Andrea Barsanti, 22-6-08 Firenze

Read on for the capital’s best gigs this week…

Read more…

Morton Valence: Bob And Veronica Ride Again
Released 4th May 2009
Bastard Recordings

Morton Valence’s debut is an achingly British slab of pop, so desperate to tell us the story of the title’s namesakes that it comes packaged with a romantic novella. Thankfully, unlike many concept records, the album forms a coherent whole and begs to be listened to from start to finish. It does this whilst constantly shifting in style; dipping from Jesus And Mary Chain style shoegaze on the fantastic “I Must Go,”Said Veronica, “But I Will Always Come Back” through to classic electropop reminiscent of Saint Etienne or Black Box Recorder . The similarities to the latter don’t end there either, with Anne Gilpin recalling the glacial delivery of Sarah Nixey.

Whilst treading the same well worn boards as their pop peers Morton Valence carry the whole thing off with such charm, wit and panache that it never comes across as anything but original. I can’t wait for word to catch on about this glorious piece of work, and I suspect neither can the fans who invested in ’shares’ of the album to ensure its release. A wonderful album that deserves to be near the top of the pile come the year end reckoning.

Rating:

For our London readers there are a couple of opportunities to catch Morton Valence over the next few weeks in the city. The first is on June 25 at the last of their Bob And Veronica Book Club events at The Enterprise, and also a chance for a bit of a boat party on July 9 as they play the Battersea Barge.

Morton Valence – Hang It On The Wall (mp3)
Morton Valence – Chandelier (video)

Band site

Last.fm

Myspace
You can buy the CD version of the album that comes with the novella from the band’s website.